List: standalone runtime graph maker/ lux loggers (for flashlight reviewers)

ChibiM · 2019-09-26T07:15:50.000Z

Good call Terry, that is a great idea. This is one of the things they could have improved, but on the other hand, most people probably use it for something else, and not for runtime graphs :)

I could find a driver and software online for the Extech, so I think I'm okay.. not sure if something could cause troubles in the future of course.

Thanks Unheard, thanks for sharing. If anybody goes that route, they know what to do.

bmengineer · 2019-09-26T22:02:27.000Z

I wonder if any of these companies would consider doing a group buy for a luxmeter that could log to USB.

Yokiamy · 2019-09-26T22:14:15.000Z

I like the idea !

Terry_Oregon · 2019-09-26T22:27:25.000Z

Note that the Reed Instruments does NOT have to be tethered to a computer. It has a memory card slot - that I remove when done with runtime tests. It also has an optional external power supply that can keep the data logging going for days if necessary (see sample below). I don't think the Extech has either. I wonder how long the Extech can run on one 9V battery? The Reed Instruments uses six AA's.

Just letting you know the pros and cons.

ChibiM · 2020-05-20T11:19:56.000Z

Although I already have 2 log meters, 1 being less than ideal and including some problems (Extech HD400) the SDL400 does a good job at what I want it to do.

But for the sake of other reviewers, a little bump to see if there are any other alternatives.

This looks like an upgraded GM1020?

Benetech GM1030

https://aliexpress.com/item/33010626789.html

will34 · 2020-05-20T13:00:21.000Z

I have the UT382… it can be either of these:

-Completely useless because the drivers are impossible to install on anything running windows 7 or newer.

-After installing the drivers on a W10 machine running a virtual instance of windows XP it works great and can easily export values to excel, you can set minimum/maximum value for start/stop, customize data logging interval and real time monitoring. When I was doing reviews I set up a macro to automatically export the values to my runtime graph on excel and after some quick value touch ups I would have a nice runtime graph in less than 5 minutes.

Downsides are it uses a proprietary port so the meter dies with the cable, and it won’t receive power from USB meaning it will drain your batteries QUICK unless you buy one of those Li-Ion to 9V adapter with usb charging from eBay.

Once past the initial setup it is a breeze to use and export the values to your runtime chart. I’d recommend buying one and try to get the drivers sorted out, worst case scenario you get a light meter with no data log function I contacted UT asking them to update the drivers (they just need to sign them) but received no response.

ChibiM · 2020-05-20T13:05:41.000Z

will34:

I have the UT382… it can be either of these: -Completely useless because the drivers are impossible to install on anything running windows 7 or newer. -After installing the drivers on a W10 machine running a virtual instance of windows XP it works great and can easily export values to excel, you can set minimum/maximum value for start/stop, customize data logging interval and real time monitoring. When I was doing reviews I set up a macro to automatically export the values to my runtime graph on excel and after some quick value touch ups I would have a nice runtime graph in less than 5 minutes. Downsides are it uses a proprietary port so the meter dies with the cable, and it won’t receive power from USB meaning it will drain your batteries QUICK unless you buy one of those Li-Ion to 9V adapter with usb charging from eBay. Once past the initial setup it is a breeze to use and export the values to your runtime chart. I’d recommend buying one and try to get the drivers sorted out, worst case scenario you get a light meter with no data log function I contacted UT asking them to update the drivers (they just need to sign them) but received no response.

Thanks Will! Added a link to your post in the OP

Unheard · 2020-05-20T13:19:43.000Z

Will the 1030 connect to a PC for uploading data?

ChibiM · 2020-05-20T13:22:16.000Z

Unheard:

Will the 1030 connect to a PC for uploading data?

No, bluetooth to your phone.

Unheard · 2020-05-20T13:45:07.000Z

Thanks, so I’ll stick to the 1020.

bmengineer · 2020-05-20T13:49:52.000Z

I'm currently spending some of my spare time on a personal project I've had my sights set on for a while - a standalone runtime test setup based off of the Adafruit TSL2591 light sensor and a Raspberry Pi Zero.

Making it standalone is a bit of a learning experience for someone like myself with little coding skills, but if you want to use it connected to a PC it would be very easy. The sensor and RPi0 together are less than $20, and the rest of the pieces needed to get up and running you probably have in a junk drawer somewhere (microUSB cable, microSD card, some wire).

Edit: If I were going to use this tethered to a PC, I would probably replace the RPi0 with an Arduino Micro or similar.

Unheard · 2020-05-20T14:10:32.000Z

Arduino is interesting. I did a lot with the Leonardo with its native USB port. You can make it a keyboard to transfer data. And I think there’s a SD shield available. Add LCD and sensor and be done with the hardware.

ChibiM · 2020-05-20T15:10:55.000Z

bmengineer:

I'm currently spending some of my spare time on a personal project I've had my sights set on for a while - a standalone runtime test setup based off of the Adafruit TSL2591 light sensor and a Raspberry Pi Zero.

Making it standalone is a bit of a learning experience for someone like myself with little coding skills, but if you want to use it connected to a PC it would be very easy. The sensor and RPi0 together are less than $20, and the rest of the pieces needed to get up and running you probably have in a junk drawer somewhere (microUSB cable, microSD card, some wire).

Edit: If I were going to use this tethered to a PC, I would probably replace the RPi0 with an Arduino Micro or similar.

If you build one and if you make a thread about it, please let me know so I can add that here

bmengineer · 2020-05-20T15:30:03.000Z

I’ll be sure to make a post and link to here if it ever gets to a complete state

ChibiM · 2020-05-20T15:40:14.000Z

bmengineer:

I’ll be sure to make a post and link to here if it ever gets to a complete state

Awesome, thanks!

bmengineer · 2020-06-10T21:11:29.000Z

I have a fully functioning proof of concept with a Raspberry Pi Zero W and my TSL2591 sensor. The code is a bit sloppy still, but it works.

Pros:

Output is fairly clean, no excess noise
Sensor quality is known unlike using an old Android phone (the one I'm using has a pretty low measurement resolution)
Includes an IR sensor, though I haven't added code to measure that yet
Extremely configurable
Cheap! The Pi Zero W and the sensor are less than $20. I've added some indicating LEDs to my build, and you'll need some wire, a microSD card, and probably a microHDMI adapter for initial setup

Cons:

Some assembly and soldering is required
To use this standalone you'll need a basic understanding of ssh and scp tools. If you're using Linux or OS X, it's very easy

If anyone is interested, contact me and I can send a copy of my script to test. If it works I may make it available somewhere in the future.

Yokiamy · 2020-06-10T21:35:58.000Z

Interesting, does it work as a stand alone product?

I still have a raspberry doing nothing for over 1,5 year

vulpes · 2020-06-10T21:40:43.000Z

I have been thinking of building the same, but using ESP32 insted of the Pi. Oled screen for quick readouts, web ui with configuration and graphs, logging to the real database are on the planed features list.
I take it you did it in Python? I’d be interested in taking a look.

gchart · 2020-06-10T22:42:04.000Z

That’s similar to what I use… an ESP8266 hooked up to a TLS2591

Cross post from the “”What did you mod today?“”:What did you mod today? - #7024 by gchart thread from last February:

gchart:

A year or so ago I built a lumen tube using a Wemos D1 Mini (ESP8266) running Arduino and a TSL2591 breakout board. Super small, USB powered, and feeds out results over WiFi via a built-in webserver. It makes runtime/output charts really easy.

bmengineer · 2020-06-11T02:52:58.000Z

Yokiamy:

Interesting, does it work as a stand alone product?

I still have a raspberry doing nothing for over 1,5 year

Sort of. You could easily configure it to start on a button press, but I just start mine with an ssh command.